On tap at the brewpub at Alpine. One of the only brandy barrel beers I've ever had that looked like brandy. It even had no head like brandy, which makes for a sub-average beer apearance.

Smell was as boozy as anything I've ever encountered. Kinda gave me that shudder you get when you're done peeing sometimes.

Taste and mouthfeel were all hot with booze. Even at very, very small sips, this one was gargantuan in terms of overcoming the booze, it was really just like drinking brandy, there were hardly any discernable 'beer' characteristics to it. Even the sugary (brown) aspects were just bowled over.

I love Alpine, and it was cool to check out this rarity while we were there last (mid April 2013), but damn, I'll stick with their hops and stouts.

At that heaven under the stars but above tha ground - Alpine Beer Company.

Raul done unsure. Raul done unsure like the day he was born. First sniff: booze. All booze. Nothing but booze. Taste: a lil syrupy, but aite like a hot dog at the snack booth after a little league game when Raul was 8. But guess what? Raul ain't 8 anymore.

Since I did a full review of Firing's Squad, I'm just going to note the differences. With both the nose and palate, very similar with notes of brown sugar and booze accenting. The brandy is noticeable, with a grape undertone resonating with the sweetness.

It's nice to taste another big, high ABV beer other than an imperial stout standing up to bourbon or brandy barrel aging. This is completely delicious, much more complex than Firing's Squad itself, with a toffee-sugar essence throughout.